Rep. Quico Canseco: “I Don't Believe in Retirement”

Today, the Pete Gallego campaign released footage of Republican Rep. Quico Canseco's comment at an event earlier this year.

What was that comment? In response to a question about Social Security at a town hall, Canseco said, “I don't believe in retirement.”

Watch for yourself:

In a statement, below the jump, State Rep. Pete Gallego said, “Millionaires have their millions, but many times, seniors have only themselves or a limited amount of family. I will protect our seniors who have paid their dues. The very people who built our nation shouldn't be asked to sacrifice their health or their retirement.”

Right on. Canseco clearly has the same attitude as Mitt Romney about America's working millions: screw 'em. They don't donate to his campaigns, so their benefits get cut to pay for tax cuts to the rich and corporations.

This is part of Canseco's overall, representative-for-the-rich philosophy. He has told the Laredo Morning Times that he supports privatizing Social Security. He has voted to turn Medicare into a voucher program. He's a terrible candidate. The latest poll shows Gallego ahead. Keep his momentum going with a donation to his campaign through BOR's Burnt Orange to Blue drive.

Quico Canseco: “I Don't Believe in Retirement”

San Antonio-When asked about Social Security at a town hall meeting earlier this year, Quico Canseco told the audience, “I don't believe in retirement.” Watch the video here.

“It's fine for a millionaire like Quico to personally not believe in retirement, but his votes show he clearly doesn't believe in it for anyone else either,” said Gallego for Congress spokeswoman Rebecca Acuña. “Congressman Canseco gets to vote on the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He advocates for his extremist positions. Congressman Canseco is hostile to programs that are essential for our seniors.”

Previously, Congressman Canseco told the Laredo Morning Times that he supported privatizing Social Security. In Congress, Mr. Canseco has twice voted to turn Medicare into a voucher program.

“Millionaires have their millions, but many times, seniors have only themselves or a limited amount of family,” said Rep. Pete Gallego. “I will protect our seniors who have paid their dues. The very people who built our nation shouldn't be asked to sacrifice their health or their retirement.”

Background:

At an El Paso town hall In 2012, Congressman Canseco said “I don't believe in retirement.” [El Paso Town Hall, 26:53, 2/10/12]

Congressman Canseco Supported Privatizing Social Security. Canseco told the Laredo Morning Times that he supported the privatization of Social Security. According to the Laredo Morning Times, Canseco argued for the need to privatize Social Security during an interview. [Laredo Morning Times, 3/02/04]

About Author

Ben Sherman has been a BOR staff writer since 2011. A graduate of the University of Texas, Ben has worked on campaigns, in political consulting, and has written for other news outlets like Think Progress. Ben considers campaign finance reform the fundamental challenge of our time because it distorts almost every other issue in American politics.